Museum of Archaeology in Stavanger

About

The Museum of Archaeology is sited in beautiful and central locations in Stavanger. Our exhibitions and other activities provide knowledge and understanding of pre-historic man and the interaction between mankind and nature.

The exhibitions

The exhibitions at the Museum of Archaeology gives an introduction to Rogaland’s prehistory with the help of antiquities and other archaeological finds from the Stone, Bronze and Viking Ages and up to the end of the Middle Ages. The exhibitions shows objects from the more than 11,000 years of habitation in Rogaland, one of Norway’s richest archaeological fields for ancient civilisations. 

In our exhibition 'Møt Mennesket' (Meet the Human), we introduce you to skeletons from the museum's collections in a dignified setting. Our exhibition allows us to tell the stories that many of the skeletons have brought with them. Like the story of the 14-year-old Viste Boy, who died around 8000 years ago. The skeleton is one of the best preserved skeletons from the Stone Age in Norway. Also six skeletons from a Bronze Age mass grave in Sola show us severed vertebrae and tell the story of the dramatic death of a group of people who were all buried at the same time.

Our exhibition Viking Voyagers takes you to the brutal yet fascinating Viking Age. A central part of the exhibition are the new Viking Age burials, recently found in Rogaland, containing keenedged swords, golden buckles and brightly coloured glass beads. Classical artefacts from the Museum’s collections bear witness to daring raids. Gilded, decorated Irish book clasps, beads of jet and large penannular brooches tell of voyages westward over the sea, while silver treasure troves including Arabic coins are proof of Viking expeditions to the East. 
While we are waiting for å new permanent exhibition, where we present the finest from the Museum collection in «The chosen ones». Here you can see objects found in the depths of the museum cellars, and learn their exciting stories. We have 1,600-year-old butter of the highest quality, found in a bog. Peat moss and formic acid produced excellent conditions for preserving this wooden bucket containing butter. We also have on display a “Vestlandskjele” (“Western Norway Pot”). This is the second largest bronze pot of its kind ever found in Norway. Such pots were manufactured along the northern border of the Roman Empire. Most such pots found in Norway have been found in Western Norway (“Vestlandet”), hence the name.

Café and museum shop

Our friendly café serves delicious cakes and light lunches every day from 11.00 am onwards. The Museum Shop makes and sells copies of selected prehistoric objects from Rogaland. It also sells toys, souvenirs and a broad range of books and journals.

Location

Location of the Museum is located 5-10 minutes/ 600 metres by foot from the city centre.
Our address is Peder Klows gate 30a. From Stavanger Cathedral, choose Olav Vs street, up the hill from Rogaland theatre, continue up Muségata and turn right at Stavanger museum. You will then see the flag of The Museum of Archaeology on your left hand.